Overview
Unsworth Academy, a coeducational secondary school for ages 11–16 and part of Shaw Education Trust, has built a strong reputation for achievement and inclusivity. Established in 2017 and rebranded as part of its rapid improvement journey, the school earned an overall 'Good' rating in its first full Ofsted inspection in November 2019, including 'Good' for education quality, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership & management. In April 2025, during an ungraded inspection, Ofsted noted that school performance may have improved significantly across all areas, suggesting that many judged categories might now be Outstanding. The school awaits its next graded inspection.
Key Responsibilities
* Define and enact a clear strategic vision, fostering a culture of relentless ambition and inclusion.
* Lead further enhancements in curriculum design and delivery, ensuring all subjects reach coherence and depth.
* Promote outstanding behaviour, safeguarding, and the personal development of every pupil.
* Collaborate effectively with the Shaw Education Trust and trustees to maintain strong governance and accountability.
* Champion the strengths highlighted in recent inspections—ambitious curriculum, excellent staff development, and enriched pupil experiences through activities and trips.
Ideal candidate
The ideal candidate will be a proven transformational leader with a track record in school improvement, a deep understanding of Ofsted frameworks and readiness to exceed expectations, and skilled at nurturing a collaborative, high-performing staff culture. You will be committed to educational equity and raising outcomes for all pupils, especially disadvantaged and SEND learners, and passionate about holistic student growth—academically, personally, and socially.
About Shaw Education Trust
This is a unique chance to lead a school with a bold vision, strong foundations, and a passionate team. If you are a values-driven leader who is committed to transforming lives through education, we would be delighted to hear from you. If you would like an informal discussion about working for Shaw Education Trust in this role, please contact Sarah Murcott, National Director of Secondary (see job advert attachment for email details).
For a tour of the school, please contact Rachel Owen, Operation Admin Assistant, (see job advert attachment for email details).
Join Shaw Education Trust
Support, Teach, Lead… Make the Remarkable Happen.
At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role holds the power to transform a life. Whether you\'re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you’ll be part of something extraordinary.
We are a dynamic and growing family of Primary, Secondary, and Special Schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury. Our mission is to unlock opportunity for every young person—whatever their background, ability, or starting point.
Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their growth. Through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent acceleration, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals and we champion wellbeing, value every voice, and create a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.
You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and professional community fuel success. Every academy in our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital part in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.
At the heart of our work is a deep respect for the children and young adults we serve—our “precious cargo.” We are proud to exactly like nothing else and bridge the gap between education and the wider world, preparing every student for further education, employment, or training in inclusive environments where integrity, equality, and opportunity thrive.
If you have the heart, passion, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our incredible team.
Support. Teach. Lead. Belong. Thrive.
Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.
Curriculum and collaboration
In our secondary schools, we pride ourselves on our innovative approach to curriculum design to ensure breadth and ambition for all students, regardless of starting points and barriers. We seek to innovate with extended school days, world-class enrichment programmes, and opportunities for essential skills like reading and cultural capital. We are introducing vocational and technical pathways, running through the normal curriculum with support from leading employers and universities to develop work-readiness for progression to T Levels and apprenticeships. We are co-constructing an aligned curriculum across all EBacc subjects to create a world-class curriculum rich in powerful knowledge and skills, while allowing local context flexibility.
We are committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is rewarding. Colleagues within the Trust benefit from access to a full range of courses, including NPQH, NPQSL, NPQEYL, NPQLL, NPQLT, NPQLTD, NPQLBC (delivered by the Trust as a partner for Ambition Institute), and NPQEL for Executive Leaders.
Support and opportunities
* Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
* Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
* Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
* Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
* Participating in peer reviews.
* Access to a suite of online courses.
* Placement projects within our family of schools.
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